The importance of knowing whether you should choose a proxy or VPN
Both VPN and Proxy allows you to join an anonymous network. So the idea should be that they are more or less the same. However, it’s not quite like that. Let’s see what the differences are like, shall we?
Selection
It seems that there’s always news about cyber-attacks or other online security problems. The primary focus of these articles is the importance of improving internet safety. And a particular phrase gets thrown a lot – a virtual private network. You can expect to hear about the dangers if you are using a public Wi-Fi and how a VPN can help you. Though there is hardly any information about how it all works. If you have no idea what it does, then how can you trust using it?
Proxies and VPNs are different, but they still serve the same purpose: making you appear to be using the internet from a different place. However, the two have differences when it comes to actually making things private and encrypting data.
Proxies
Consider a proxy server to be the middle link of an internet chain. It shows that you are joining the network from another location. For instance, you want to connect to a Chinese website, but live in Germany. The solution would be finding a Chinese proxy server and accessing the website. A browser won’t detect your actual location,
Proxies are the best choice for low-key activities, like watching prohibited streaming services or accessing restricted online stores.
However, when it comes to more intricate stuff, a proxy might not be the solution. Don’t expect data encryption or other security features.
If they have access to your browsing history, they can find out it was you. Moreover, the browsers themselves also have some holes and can be exploited.
Proxy servers work on single applications, not your entire system. If you want to set up your browser or torrent client, then it’s enough. But redirecting your whole internet connection is out of the question.
Selecting the proxy
A reliable proxy doesn’t come cheap. Sure, there are plenty of free proxies out there, but most of them are worthless. The only use that they could serve would be for a one-time task that takes a couple of minutes. For a long-term, though, one should never rely on something like that. With enough research, you should be able to find the right provider.
VPNs
VPNs are like proxies in a way that they also show users connecting from a different IP. And that’s pretty much it. A virtual private network applies to your whole computer. Everything on the system will be covered – online games, browsers, streaming services, and everything else that requires an internet connection.
A remote network works as a receiving point for all your browsing data. And all the passing information gets heavily encrypted. VPNs are the choice for more dangerous internet ventures since not even your internet providers will be able to track you. It’s even more of use for those that travel often and have to make transactions. Public Wi-Fi hotspots can be full of holes, but a VPN will fill them out without any problems.
One downside of virtual private networks is the money. Though it shouldn’t surprise you. Service providers need the best hardware to ensure that their servers are up all the time. And don’t forget about the space for all the information that passes through.
Selecting the right VPN provider can be a tough thing. However, we at NovaVPN can take care of all your needs. Just look through our website and find out about all the amazing features that we have to offer.